Small Group Activity: Getting the Management Message Right

Managers need their employees to function at high levels, and they need to accomplish organizational goals through building more rapport and trust with those they manage. However, it is a consistent workplace complaint that managers and their employees communication ineffectively and that the messages that managers are transmitting aren’t the same messages that their employees hear. Mixed messages damage productivity and morale.

 

This activity can be used with a workgroup of managers and employees, or simply with a team of managers looking to improve their abilities.

 

Needs:

• Three containers labeled as follows: “Messages”, “Tone”, “Body Language”

 

• Slips of paper that describe:

— Coaching messages for Container #1

— Tone of voice instructions for Container #2

— Body language instructions for Container #3

 

Step One: For each of the three separate containers write statements on separate pieces of paper and place them in the appropriate containers. Explain that messages can lose intended meaning when tone of voice and body language contradicts the words spoken.

 

Step Two: Take turns pulling slips of paper from each of the three containers(Message, Tone, Body Language) and communication the message to the group.

 

Step Three: Discuss & Review

 

What changes in workplace behavior could be facilitated or hindered by mixed messages?

 

Have you experienced similarly incongruent messages in the workplace?

 

Why did we do this activity?

 

What have we learned?

 

Which is more powerful, what we say or how we say it?

Messages

Tone of Voice

Body Language

“How’s it going today?”

Abrupt

No eye contact, look down

“You seem to be doing a great job.”

Indifferent

Turn and walk away as you speak

“Tell me what you think about this situation.”

Empathetic

Sit, lean twoard the person and look into his/her eyes

“We are glad to have you on our team.”

Distracted

Sit, lean back and put your hands behind your head

“Does this work meet the standard you have set for yourself?”

Angry

Look around as you say the message

“What can I do to help you?”

Puzzled

Hold the person’s arm and look them straight in the eye as you repeat the message

“Feel free to come to me whenever you have a question or problem.”

Genuinely pleased

Cross your arms on your chest as you deliver the message